Video Review

Introduction

Mirrorless system cameras get all the attention these days, but some of the most innovative cameras still have one. The Sony Alpha A77 is one of Sony's so-called "single-lens translucent" cameras, the top model in the line that includes the A65 and the just-announced A37 and A57 cameras.

It's a mid-sized, mid-level camera for enthusiasts (and "pro-sumers" if you can stomach saying that word out loud) that looks, handles, and acts a lot like a DSLR, but with a twist. If you need to get up to speed on the technology, head to the Hardware page. In a nutshell, the design enables quick, accurate, and (most importantly) full-time autofocus, as well as incredibly speedy burst shooting.

The A77 is Sony's most advanced SLT camera yet, the first to move definitively out of the entry level and into serious enthusiast territory. It uses some serious components, including a 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor, 2.4-million OLED electronic viewfinder, and a 3-inch, 921,000-pixel LCD mounted on a hinge and an extending arm for extra articulation.

Those chops can compete with the division's heavy hitters, including the Nikon D7000 and Pentax K-5, and the dash of new technology lends it an air of added excitement. Let's see how it holds up under scrutiny.

The Sony Alpha A77 is available now with a 16-50mm kit lens for $1999, or without a lens for $1399.

Comparable Products

Before you buy the Sony Alpha A77, take a look at these other interchangeable lens cameras.

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